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 PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMSResources & Events : Resources Aromatherapy Misconceptions and Challenges Aromatherapy Misconceptions and Challenges Misconceptions about Aromatherapy in the spa industry have limited its full range of health enhancing applications. Many spas have been at a loss as to how to present and market Aromatherapy in a professional way and have been concerned that they are not doing justice to "real" Aromatherapy. Others have passively integrated treatment products (containing essential oils) attempting to introduce an Aromatherapy theme into their services. The challenges and considerations in incorporating Aromatherapy treatments into large spa facilities are the following: 1. Lack of understanding. Without having the background to discern quality, spa managers/directors often fear that aromas may be too imposing on guests. However, using pure essential oils for environmental fragrancing or in treatments can positively alter the state of mind of spa guests. Pure essential oils are rarely imposing compared to synthetic products, whose much stronger smells can linger, often causing headaches or reactions in sensitive constitutions. 2. Aromatherapy is an art and science that takes years to master. While this is true, basic principles and safe practices can be imparted to massage therapists and estheticians in a way that can be properly utilized. 3. To offer "real" Aromatherapy one would have to know how to blend from at least 100 different oils, and this kind of professional training is too involved and costly to provide all staff. In addition, there is such a turnover of staff; how can the consistency of a treatment based on this kind of in-depth training be maintained? A systemized approach can simplify the overwhelming concept of using individual oils and also establish guidelines and specific methods that can be passed on to new staff members. 4. An Aromatherapy treatment is only such if it is done step A-Z. This is one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry. Aromatherapy does not have to be applied in any particular sequence of moves to be genuine. Using high quality pure essential oils is all that is needed to create a true Aromatherapy experience. However, it is effective to offer an Aromatherapy massage that is marketed as a unique procedure as opposed to regular massages. This creates a distinction between massages and upgrades the Aromatherapy massage. What is imperative is comprehensive education and the use of high quality, unadulterated essential oils. |
